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Editors' Review

Webcam utilities come in several flavors. Some emphasize the security angle by monitoring several cameras at once, much like a CCTV system. Others have a different objective: fun. ArcSoft's WebCam Companion 4 definitely falls into the second group. This shareware Webcam manager not only handles your Webcams but also edits and adds cool stuff to your video feeds, such as masks and text. It can capture 3D and HD video and still images, and it makes it easy to share everything on Facebook, Twitter, and other Web sites. But that doesn't mean WebCam Companion doesn't also make an excellent security and surveillance tool since it also includes motion detection, face recognition, and other advanced monitoring features. WebCam Companion 4 is free to try for 30 days.

WebCam Companion showed a nag screen when we started the program, and also a countdown displaying the number of days left in our free trial period in the title bar. It has a sleek, attractive interface with an up-to-date brushed-metal look. The main window opened to the program's Home page, an uncluttered row of icons accessing all of the important features: Capture, for configuring and managing our Webcam, video card, and other settings; Masque, which lets you morph your face into other faces; Fun Frame, which can autocapture images and video by detecting poses; Edit, which accesses a wizard-based video editor; Monitor, which can detect faces and motion; and More Applications, for adding and managing new Modules and Applications. Each feature is also available on the toolbar, along with the program's Settings and quick 2D and 3D capture buttons.

WebCam Companion's wizard-based features made quick work of setting up our Webcam, with plenty of configuration options, but there's also a wizard-within-a-wizard to make things easier still, plus a comprehensive browser-based Help file that answered all our questions. While this program is widely compatible, users with more processing power and better graphics cards will achieve better results when handling HD and 3D video. Needless to say, we were getting pretty silly pretty quick with our Webcam feed with WebCam Companion 4. Bet you will, too!

Editors' note:This is a review of the trial version of Arcsoft WebCam Companion 4.0.

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Publisher's Description

ArcSoft WebCam Companion offers a broad range of applications designed and optimized for webcam use, whether utilized to record video or to take a special photo, ArcSoft WebCam Companion 3 lets you get the most out of any webcam. It brings together ArcSoft's latest Webcam applications into one great user experience. Starting from the Launch Pad, you can access any of ArcSoft's great new Webcam applications including: Capture, Edit, Masque, Fun Frame.

This is very easy to use and will you can record videos of yourself with your webcam from your computer without going online and save them as well.
And I've found good discount here:
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I have had more that a few laughs in the few days that I have had this program. Works great with Windows 7 64-bit.

Cons

No cons. Oh, the basic version is what I have, but I am strongly tempted to pay the additional $20.00 for the add-on features. The total package is a bit pricey but what the heck.

Summary

I got Arcsoft Showbiz 3.5 (an obsolete program) bundled with a video capture device. The purchase led to a good deal on this program. The Showbiz 3.5 is a solid little program that does the job, so I decided to jump on the WebCam Companion 4.0 offer. I'm glad I did.

Updated on Apr 29, 2012

I enjoy the basic Webcam Companion but the extra-cost add-on, Magic-I, will not run on my Windows 7 system. Multiple reinstallations, and multiple conversations with Arcsoft, have been fruitless. Magic-I has been, for me, a waste of time and money.

It would've been better if it had more update and with special packages.

Summary

This companion is very useful for editing your webcam's settings while talking face-to-face with someone. Other companions (or some other) require you to not be using the webcam or else you would not be able to set up your webcam (gamma, saturation,etc.) while talking to someone or using it.

Imho stay clear of this piece of sh^%$ as you will be better off getting yamcam or something other than this , as i had it on windows 7 and all i was getting was a video of me but a high pitched screeching behind the video , so it was no use , emailed customer service and they asked me to make sure i had installed it correctly lol if i didnt it wouldnt have worked in the first place but as the guy or lass above said about customer service i agree 100% imho we should vote with our feet or money as when they dont make money then they will sit up and take notice and fix the problem they have with this software.

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